Improvement in shoe-tips



D. CROSS.

SHOE-TIP.

use on the toes of boots and shoes.

' N TEDfS-TA PATEFNTQFFIQE DANIEL K. oRoSS, or, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS. I

- |m nnow; anir "in snoties.

I SPecificaiion forming p f Letters, Patent No. 194,063, dated November 7, 1876 application med October 16, 1876.. i I V H q To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL K. GROSS, of

Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Metal Shoe-Tip, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to metal shoe-tips for Metal shoe-tips as now commonly made have a protecting-rim to fit the curve of the toe, and a horizontal flange to extend between the upper and outsole. These flanges are each provided with two small perforations for the reception of lasting-tacks. When a sewed boot or shoe is made on a McKay machine this metal flange is penetrated by the needle, and the thread to form the stitch is drawn. through the flange. In this operation needles are frequently. broken, and the thread is often cut by the metal, which is a serious objection. The holes punched in the metal by the awl or needle are left with a burr and rough, and, when boots and shoes so made are worn, repeated blows on the tip cause it to out the threads extending through it, thereby loosening the sole from the upper, destroying the integrity of the shoe, and making it of less value than a shoe without a tip.

One part of this invention consists in removing a portion of the metal of the flange in the line where the stitches usually pass through the flange, to permit the passage of the awl and needle.

The usual metal tip presents a bright metallic band about the toe, which attracts much attention, and is considered so objectionable on that account that many persons will not usesuch a tip.

Another part of this invention consists in removing as much of the substance of the protecting-flange as possible consistent with retaining it of the proper degree of strength, and the black shoe showing through these numerous openings. makes the tip less conspicuous, and the openings tend to make the tip ornamental.

' Figure 1 represents a shoe provided with my improved tip; Fig. 2, a tip like that shown in Fig. 1, but detached from theshoe; Figs. 3, 4, and 5, modified forms of openings; and

' Fig. 6 anordinary tip provided with but one feature of my invention.

The tip a, composed of a protecting-rim and a flange, b, is formed of metal struck up in a suitable die. The flange is cut away, as at c c, leaving a narrow crescent plate, at, connected with the main portion of the tip at its ends and ator near its center. formed in and the needle passes through these curved openings 0 0, prepared for their reception. The crescent-shaped portion at prevents the tip from being drawn out of the shoe. With such a tip, blows upon the tip will not cause it to cut the thread forming the stitches.

The portion at is connected with the other por-- tion of the lip by (as herein shown) three narrow arms, over which the thread of the stitch will pass. This construction of the flange leaves a full back edge, 01, to prevent forward motion of the tip, and it also afl'ords a portion to receive the heads of the lasting-tacks, and it lessens the breakage of awls, needles, and thread.

The protecting-edge is provided with a series of openings, 0, of any desired form, permittin g the upper to show through such openings. These openings make the v tip ornamental, and they permit the water which gets between the tip and upper to pass outward, or away from the foot, instead of compelling it to follow the flange backward into the shoe, as now common. The usual metal tip cannot be fitted so close to the upper as to exclude the passage of water without cutting the upper. These openings 6 may be of any desired form, according to the fancy of the manufacturer.

f If desired, these metal tips may be japanned or made black in any way usual to make metal black; or they may be made to conform in color with the color of the upper to show through the openings.

This improved tip may be applied to any kind or size of shoe. The thread, passing through the openings 0, draws the upper surface of the inner sole and the leather of the upper firmly together within the space 0, which makes a tight seam, across which water will not flow, as in the use of a metal tip with a broad flat flange.

The stitches are I I am aware that it is not new to provide the -protecting-edge with a long horizontal slot to permit the passage of water from'behind the tip. In such a tip the horizontal narrowstrip of metal above the slot is easily bent back out of shape, and cuts the upper.

Iclaim-- 1. A metal tip provided with the space 0, out through the usual flange, and with the back edge d for the passage of the needle and thread, and to operate to hold the tip in place, substantially as herein described.

2. In a metal tip, a protecting-edge pro vided with a series of small. openings, '6, all

constructed to operate substantially asand vided with a series of small openings, 6, and

with openings 0 in the flange, toextend between the upper and sole, substantially as shown and described.

In' testimony whereof I have signed. my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.-

DANIEL K. CROSS.

Witnesses: v p v a G. W. GREGORY, S. B. KIDDER. 

